South West Regional Development Agency

SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
MINUTES OF THE 87th BOARD MEETING 21 MAY 2007 
DRAKE HOUSE, DURSLEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE 
 
Present: 
Juliet Williams - Chairman  
Nick Buckland - Deputy Chairman  
Cathy Bakewell - Board Member 
Nigel Costley - Board Member  
Kelvyn Derrick - Board Member 
Duncan Hames - Board Member 
Judith Reynolds - Board Member 
John Savage - Board Member 
Colin Skellett - Board Member  
Harry Studholme - Board Member 
 
In attendance: 
Jane Henderson - Chief Executive 
Suzanne Bond - Executive Director Strategy and Communications 
Nick Lewis - Executive Director Resources 
Colin Molton - Executive Director Operations and Development 
Stephen Peacock - Executive Director Enterprise and Innovation 
Richard Thomas - Director of Marketing and Communications 
Jeff Chinnock - Head of Corporate and Government Affairs  
Caroline Bloodworth - Board and Policy Advisor 
 
For specific items: 
Simon Hooton - Director of Policy and Strategy (item 2) 
Ian Thompson - Director of Operations (North) (items 12-13) 
Chris Foley - Head of Operations, Gloucestershire (items 12-13) 
 
Visitors: 
Greg Smith - Chair, Gloucester Heritage URC (item 12) 
Ian Mean - Vice Chair, Gloucester Heritage URC (items 12-13) 
Chris Oldershaw - Chief Executive, Gloucester Heritage URC (items 12-13) 
Rupert Joseland - St Modwens (items 12-13) 
 
Apologies: 
Christine Channon - Board Member 
Alan Courts - Board Member 
Jonathon Porritt - Board Member  
Christine Reid - Board Member  
Eric Thomas - Board Member 
 
 
1. MINUTES FROM 86th MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING 
 
The minutes of the meeting were agreed as a correct record. There were no matters arising. 
 
 
2. SOUTH WEST TOURISM REVIEW 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
3. PROJECT DAWN 
 
Suzanne Bond provided an overview of Project Dawn. In short, through a programme of creative annual events and partner engagement, the project will seek to make a step change in improving the standard of skills within the tourism and hospitality sectors across the country leading up to 2012 and beyond. Similar presentations had been made recently to RDA Chairs, and to DCMS Ministers alongside People 1st, the Sector Skills Council, demonstrating the links with the National Skills Strategy. The presentation highlighted the lack of training in key skills within the industry, and provided an outline of likely activities over the next six years leading up to the 2012 Olympics. A showcase event in 2008 on a cruise ship would be used to provide a talent showcase for up to 3000 people, to include masterclasses from top chefs and the delivery of the first modular training courses. The overall aim was to try and raise the level of "welcome" in the UK from the current 17th place (of 35) to the top!.  
 
The Board were generally supportive of the idea and the following points were raised: 
- support was needed from other regions and institutions; positive feedback had been received to date. 
- there were good examples of the success of social enterprise in this sector. 
- the idea offered a huge opportunity and would require strong strategic management. 
- the experiences of previous, similar, initiatives (e.g. Glasgow Smiles Better) - would be useful.  
 
The next step was to create a business plan. 
 
 
4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
 
The Chairman provided an update on the following issues: 
- the Leitch implementation plan which was expected on 14 June. 
- the 16 July Board meeting in Cornwall would require more time to be allocated to it. Board members would be contacted for their availability. 
 
 
5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT 
 
Jane Henderson provided an update on the following issues: 
- Planning, Energy and Waste White papers were all due to be released in the coming days.  
- Issues arising from the government's response to the CLG Select Committee's report on Regional Governance and in particular the clues if offered to the upcoming Sub National Review and CSR.  
 
 
6. SOUTH WEST RDA ADMIN BUDGET 
 
Nick Lewis explained that a paper on the full budget would be brought to the July Board meeting. 
 
The following points were raised: 
- concern that the recruitment budget was too low. 
- the training budget was much higher than in previous years, largely due to the costs of developing the management development programme. 
- it was confirmed that the office costs did not reflect any Area team re-organisation as this had not been factored into the current year's budget. It was expected that these costs would fall into 2007/8.  
- administration costs remained high compared to other RDAs.  
 
Board decision 
The Board approved the 2007/8 gross allocation, administration and income budgets. 
 
 
7. NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM (NMA) 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
8. EU PROGRAMMES 
 
Colin Molton explained that both Operational Programmes (OPs) were with CLG and that negotiations with Brussels were due to begin in June. The Chair of the Convergence Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) would be the GOSW Regional Director, with 12 other members. A workshop on commissioning was planned in June. Resources and the transfer arrangements for GOSW remained an issue that was still being resolved. 
 
Judith Reynolds confirmed the current situation with the Competitiveness Programme which was at the point of establishing a shadow PMC. 
 
There was concern about the arrangements for the transfer of GOSW staff, including the prospect that some staff may be retained to close down the old programmes (Objectives 1 and 2). 
 
Jonathon Porritt had expressed his dissatisfaction (by email) that the ambition to work towards a carbon neutral economy in both programmes was not being pursued. It was confirmed that further work was taking place to address this.  
 
Board decision 
The Board reviewed progress to date and: 
- endorsed the priorities identified in the draft Operational Programmes for Convergence and Competitiveness, and proposed financial allocations. 
- noted that the Agency's European Programmes Strategy Board was to lead negotiations with CLG and the EC and the timetable for negotiations. 
- supported the ambition to work towards a low carbon economy in both ERDF Operational Programmes.  
 
 
9. OLYMPICS - WEYMOUTH 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
10. SOUTH WEST RDA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 
 
Colin Molton provided an outline of progress to date on the Environmental Management System (EMS). He reported that Jonathon Porritt had (via email) expressed concern at the level of overall ambition contained in the EMS. This issue would be discussed at the next Cross Directorate Environment Group meeting, which both Jonathon Porritt and Colin Skellett attended. 
 
Colin Molton confirmed that there had been some internal resource constraints which had limited progress. There was a need to ensure Resources Directorate and other staff were aware of the high priority attached to this work.  
 
Board decision 
The Board: 
- noted that the current Environment Policy remained appropriate for the Agency's activities. 
- noted the progress made against the 2006/7 Environment Policy Action Plan. 
- approved the draft Environmental Management System: Objectives and Targets for 2007/8. 
- endorsed the proposal for the Environmental Management System: Management Review to be undertaken by the internal Cross Directorate Environment Group 
 
 
11. SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT POLICY  
 
Nick Lewis provided an overview of the work of the Cross Directorate Group and explained that procedures were being developed to take this further. 
 
Board decision 
The Board approved the Agency's Sustainable Procurement Policy. 
 
 
12. BOARD FORWARD PLANNER 
 
Jane Henderson explained that discussions continued with the Regional Assembly on the date of the next joint RDA Board/RA Executive meeting, which would be in the autumn. 
 
 
13. STANDING ITEMS 
 
a. Projects Approved  
Noted. 
 
b. Policy Consultation Reponses 
Noted. 
 
c. Summary of Board Advisory Group minutes 
None. 
 
d. Decisions taken using Urgency Procedures 
Noted. 
 
e. Documents Sealed 
Noted. 
 
f. Loan Write Offs 
None. 
 
g. Audit Committee minutes 
None. 
 
h.Remuneration Committee minutes 
None. 
 
i. Board Sub-group minutes 
Noted. 
 
 
14. GLOUCESTER HERITAGE URC 
 
The Chairman welcomed Greg Smith, Ian Mean and Chris Oldershaw to the meeting. 
 
Chris Oldershaw provided a presentation on the history and structure of the URC and the priorities - "The Magnificent Seven" - that had emerged from the Area Regeneration Framework. Projects in which the RDA was particularly involved (the Docks, Gloucester Quays and Blackfriars) were covered in more detail. 
 
 
15. LITTLECOMBE, DURSLEY  
 
The Chairman welcomed Rupert Joseland of St Modwens (the Agency's development partner in the Littlecombe site). Colin Molton and Rupert Joseland provided an outline of the recent history and background to the development (formerly the Lister Petter site) and the Agency's involvement. The plans for the development of the site and the progress made by St Modwens to date were also outlined including the high levels of sustainable construction that were planned. It was agreed that the project was a good example of the Agency's added value. 
 
The Board were then taken to the far end of the Littlecombe development to view the site. It was outlined that the development will include a spine road, business centre, energy centre (housing a bio-mass boiler), residential development, and a school. Serious consideration and care had been taken in environmental and bio-diversity issues such as moving newts, slow worms and the provision of a bat "hotel".